Multiple needle tufting machine



Jan. 13, 1942. R w DH 2,269,837

MULTIPLE NEEDLE TUFTING MACHINE Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Oct. 13, 1939 Jan. 13, 1942. R. H. WINDHAM 2,269,837

- I MULTIPLE NEEDLE TUFTING MACHINE Filed Oct. 15, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Jan. 13, 1942 2,269,837 MULTIPLE NEEDLE TUFTING momma Roy H. Winlam, Rome, 68., assignor to Burl J. Bandy, Dalton, Ga.

Application October 13, 1939, Serial No. 299,382

8 Claims.

My invention relates to tufting machines for making bedspreads, mats, and other articles.

. An important object of the invention is to provide a multiple needle tufting machine which is reliable in operation and will require the minimum amount of adjusement during its operation.

A further object of the invention is to provide self-adjusting work feed means for the several needles, whereby the work will be fed in a uniform manner at eachof the several needles.

A further object of the invention is to provide presser devices adjacent to the several needles, which presser devices are yieldingly held toward the work and are individually movable or adjustable from the work. Thus automatically maintaining a proper pressure between the work and the several feed dogs.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this'application and inv which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a multiple needle tufting machine embodying my invention, viewed from the trailing side,parts in central vertical section, and parts broken away,

Figure 2 is an elevation ofthe head end of the machine, parts in vertical section,

Figure 3 is a vertical section taken on line 33 of Figure 1,

Figure 4 is a similar view taken on line 4-4 of Figure 1,

Figure 5 is a vertical section taken on line 55 of Figure 2,

Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view of the presser foot device and associated elements.

Attention being called first to Figures 1 to 5 inclusive, the numeral Ill designates the arm of a sewing machine of the conventional type, such as the ordinary Singer sewing machine. This arm carries the usual head H, arranged above the horizontal base l2, constituting the work support. This base has been elongated, for the purpose of accommodating the multiple work feed and associated elements. Mounted to reciprocate within the head H is a vertical main needle bar l3, raised and lowered by the usual link 14, connected with a crank-disclS, driven by the drive shaft l6. Arranged within the head H to one side of the vertical main needle bar I3 is a vertical main reciprocatory presser bar. ll, having a block I! rigidly secured thereto. This block is raised by the usual cam I9, pivoted at 20,

and this cam has the lift finger 2|. The usual spring arranged above the block l8 to move the main presser bar omitted.

A horizontal auxiliary needle bar 22 is clamped to the lower end of the vertical main needle bar, by set screws 23 or the like. The auxiliary needle bar 22 carries the needles 24, eight being shown for the purpose of illustration although this number may be varied. The needles 24 are spaced for the desired distance, depending upon the desired space between the lines of tufting. The horizontal auxiliary needle bar 22 extends longitudinally of the base i2, in spaced parallel relation thereto, and transversely of the line of work.

Rigidly secured to the lower end of the head ll, preferably by beingscrewed up into an opening in the same is a vertical sleeve 25, which projects below the head H, as shown. The vertical main presser bar 81 extends through the sleeve 25 to be guided thereby and downwardly below this sleeve. The numeral 26 designates a horizontal guide-bar, provided at a point equidistantly spaced from its ends with a screw-threaded opening 27 to receive the lower screw-threaded end of the sleeve 25. The guide-bar is rigidly attached to the sleeve 25 in the manner indicated although it may be rigidly attached thereto by any other suitable means. The guide-bar 26 has spaced vertical openings 28 formed therein corresponding in number to the needles, and correspondingly spaced- The guide-bar 26 is arranged above the base I2, is spaced therefrom, is parallel with relation thereto and with relation to the horizontal auxiliary needle bar 22 and hence extends transversely of the line of work. Arranged beneath the horizontal guidebar 26, is a horizontal auxiliary presser bar 29. The bar 29 is parallel to the bar 26, in horizontal and vertical planes. The bar 29 has an opening 30 formed therein, at a point equidistantly spaced from its ends, to receive the reduced end 3| of the bar I l, and these parts are rigidly secured together by a set screw 32 or the like. It is thus seen that when the vertical main presser bar I! is elevated, the horizontal auxiliary presser bar 29 will be elevated with respect to the stationary horizontal guide-bar 28. The horizontal ll downwardly has been auxiliary presser bar 29 is provided with a plurality of vertical openings 33, corresponding in number to the openings 28, and in alignment therewith.

The numeral 34 designates vertical auxiliary presser bars, which are cylindrical and are slidably mounted within the cylindrical openings 28 and 33. Eight of the vertical auxiliary presser bars 34 have been shown, corresponding to the number of needles employed. The vertical auxiliary presser bars 34 extend downwardly below the horizontal auxiliary presser bar 29 and have flattened extensions 35, to engage with legs 36, and these legs are clamped thereto by set screws 31. The legs 36 cannot be turned upon the bars 34. The legs 36 carry presser feet 38, which are hinged thereto, in the usual manner. A stop block 39 is provided for each vertical auxiliary presser bar 34 and this block has a cylindrical opening 40 to receive the bar 34. The bar 34 may be turned with relation to the block 39 and vertically adjusted with relation to the block 39 and then clamped to the block in the selected adjusted position by a set screw 4|. This permits of the swinging or adjusting of the presser feet 38 horizontally with respect to the line of work, and also the adjustment of the limit of the downward movement of the presser foot. The block 39 is provided with a depending vertical guide-flange or plate 42, slidably engaging the leading face of the bar 29. the bar 29 being rectangular in cross-section. The flange slidably engages the bar 29 to prevent the bar 34 from turning upon its longitudinal axis with respeci to the bar 29. Surrounding each vertical auxiliary presser bar 34 is a compressible coil spring 43, engaging above the block 39 and below the guide-bar 2B.

In view of the foregoing description, it will be seen that the several springs 43 ordinarily retain the blocks 39 in contact with the horizontal auxiliary presser bar 29, whereby the bars 34 and bar 29 move as a unit when being raised and lowered by the manipulation of the finger 2|. engage the work and hold the same in proper contact with the feed dogs, the several presser feet may move upwardly independently of each other, due to inequalities in the thicknesses of the tufted work at the needle. This can occur, since each vertical auxiliary presser bar 34 is independently vertically movable with respect to the bar 29 and with respect to the other vertical auxiliary presser bars 34. One vertical auxiliary presser bar 34 may therefore rise independently of the corresponding movement of the remaining vertical auxiliary presser bars. The combined action of all of the springs 43 serve to move the horizontal auxiliary presser bar 29 and the bars 34 downwardly as a unit.

Arranged beneath the base 2 are feed dogs 44, corresponding in number and arrangement to the needles and presser feet and operating through a throat plate 45. Each feed dog has a slot for the passage of the needle 24. The feed dogs are rigidly mounted upon a horizontal bar 46, having bars 41 rigidly secured to its opposite ends. The bars 41 are the usual feed dog bars and the trailing end of each bar 41 is raised and lowered by cranks 48 operated by a rock shaft 49, while the leading ends are moved longitudinally in opposite directions by cranks 50, operated by a rock shaft 5|. The rock shafts 49 and 5| are turned from the main drive shaft l6 and each dog 44 is timed in operation with respect to its needle 24.

The numeral 52 designates a plurality of loopers, corresponding in number and arrangement to the needles 24, and each looper moves toward its needle when the needle is lowered to receive the loop and moves from the needle as the needle is raised, the loop being severed on the loop- When the presser feet 38 are lowered to,

er when the looper moves from the needle, but at least one unsevered loop remains upon the looper. The looper 52 swings vertically in a direction'longitudinally of the line of work and faces in an opposite direction to the work move ment. Each looper 52 has a down-turned bill '53 and a long tail 54, having an elongated slot 55, receiving a stationary rod 56. Pivotally mounted upon each looper 52 at 51, is a blade 58 and this blade is rigidly mounted upon a bracket 59, having a sleeve 60, clamped to a horizontal rock shaft 6|. The blade 58 supports the looper and also reciprocates the looper. L'ach looper has a spring 62 secured thereto, at 63-end this spring engages the side of the blade and draws the looper into contact with the blade. The blade is reciprocated, and it reciprocates the looper 52, and a relative movement is effected between the blade and looper to sever the loops. The loops are severed in succession as the looper moves from the needle but one unsevered loop is accumulated on the looper. The several blades 58 being rigidly mounted upon the rock shaft 6|, are simultaneously reciprocated by this rock shaft. The rock shaft 6| is journaled in stationary bearings 63, and carries cranks 54, piv otally connected with connecting rods 55. These connecting rods are connected with cranks 66, upon an auxiliary rock shaft 68, which is connected with and driven from the main drive shaft IS, in timed relation to th movement of the needle, whereby the loopers will coact with the several needles and receive the loops when needles move down below the fabric. The loopers and blades herein shown and described are very similar to the looper and blade shown in the patent to Murl A. White, 2,110,385. If desired, practically the same looper and blade shown in the White Patent 2,110,385 may be employed. In this event, a plurality of the loopers and blades of the White patent would be used and the driving element for the blade would have to be increased in number corresponding to the blades used, as is obvious. While I prefer to use the looper and blade as shown in my present application or one substantially identical with that shown in the White patent referred to, yet the invention is not. restricted to the use of any particular type of looper and blade. I contemplate using any type of looper and blade properly correlated with each needle and driven in timed relation to the needle.

In view of the foregoing description it is obvious that I have provided a multiple needle tufting machine having presser feet which are individually yieldable from the work, thus properly holding the work against the feed dogs. and automatically compensating for difi'erences in thicknesses of the work beneath the presser feet. This is a very important point in connection with a multiple needle tufting machine. It is well known, that considerable difficulty is experienced in the operation of a multiple needle tufting machine having a rigid or unitary presser foot common to all needles, as it frequently happens that the work will not feed uniformly at the various needles. A further advantage of my independently springpressed presser feet is that they will properly press the cloth against the dogs, if the dogs should not be uniform in vertical dimensions, and further they will properly press the cloth against the throat plate, if this throat plate should be bent or have its upper surface not arranged entirely in the same plane. A further advantage in my construction is that the individual presser 1. In a multiple needle tufting machine, a work support, stitch-forming mechanism including a plurality of needles mounted upon one side of the work support, means to reciprocate the needles, feed dogs to coact with the needles, means to operate the feed dogs, a generally horizontal guide-bar having spaced guide devices corresponding in number and arrangement to the needles, a generally horizontal presser bar spaced from the guide-bar and having guide devices corresponding in number and arrangement to the guide devices of the guide-bar, means to move the generally horizontal presser bar toward the guidebar, substantially vertical auxiliary presser bars slidably mounted in the guide devices of the guide-bar and of the generally horizontal presser bar, a presser foot carried by each auxiliary presser bar, a stop element carried by each auxiliary presser bar and adapted to engage the generally horizontal presser bar, a spring carried by each auxiliary presser bar and engaging the stop element and the guide-bar, the springs of the auxiliary presser bars serving to move the generally horizontal presser bar from the guide-bar.

2. In a multiple needle tufting machine, a work support, stitch-forming mechanism including a plurality of 'needlesmounted upon one side of the work support, means to reciprocate the needles, feed dogs to coact with the needles, means to drive the feed dogs, a generally horizontal stationary guide-bar having spaced guide devices corresponding in number and arrangement to the needles, a generally horizontal presser bar arranged beneath the guide-bar and spaced therefrom and having spaced guide devices corresponding in number and arrangement to the guide devices of the guide-bar, means to raise the generally horizontal presser bar, a plurality of substantially vertical auxiliary presser bars slidably mounted within the guide devices of the guide-bar and the generally horizontal presser bar, each auxiliary presser bar having a stop element to engage the generally horizontal presser bar, a spring carried by each auxiliary'presser bar to move the same downwardly and engaging the generally horizontal stationary guide-bar and stop element, the springs also serving to shift the generally horizontal presser bar from the stationary guide-bar, and a presser foot carried by each auxiliary presser bar.

3. In a multiple needle tufting machine, a

work support, a headarranged above the work support, stitch-forming mechanism including a plurality of needles arranged above the work support, means carried by the head to reciprocate the needles, feed dogs for ccaction with the needles, a generally horizontal stationary guidebar arranged above the work support, a tube carrying the guide-bar and secured to the head.

said guide bar having a plurality of spaced guide devices, a generally horizontal presser bar arranged beneath the guide-bar and having spaced guide devices, a main substantially vertical presser bar extending through the tube and attached to the generally horizontal presser bar to raise it, means to move the substantially vertical main presser bar, a plurality of substantially vertical auxiliary presser bars slidably mounted in the guide devices of the generally horizontal guide-bar and the generally horizontal presser bar, a spring carried by each auxiliary presser bar and serving to move it downwardly and bearing against said guide-bar, the springs serving to shift the generally horizontal presser bar downwardly from the guide-bar and a presser foot carried by each auxiliary presser bar.

4. A cloth presser mechanism for a multiple needle tufting machine or the like, said mechanism comprising a main generally vertical presser bar, a generally horizontal presser bar secured to the main generally vertical presser bar to move vertically therewith, a plurality of auxiliary generally vertical presser bars separate from the main generally vertical presser bar and arranged adjacent to the generally horizontal presser bar, each auxiliary presser bar having a stop element to engage the generally horizontal presser bar to limit the downward movement of each auxiliary presser bar with relation to the horizontal presser bar, each auxiliary presser bar being adapted to be elevated with relation to the horizontal presser bar and also to be raised by the horizontal presser bar, a foot carried by each auxiliary presser bar, an element stationary with relation to the main generally vertical presser bar, resilient means separate from the main generally .vertical presser bar and acting against the stationary element and all of the auxiliary presser bars and normally retaining the auxiliary presser bars lowered with respect to the 'hori zontal presser bar and also serving to move the generally horizontal presser bar downwardly, and means to raise the main generally vertical presser bar with relation to the stationary element and in opposition to the resilient means.

5. A cloth presser mechanism for a multiple needle tufting machine or the like, said mechanism comprising a generally horizontal presser bar, a plurality of auxiliary generally vertical presser bars arranged adjacent to the generally horizontal presser bar, each auxiliary presser bar having a stop element to engage the generally horizontal presser bar to limit the downward movement of the auxiliary presser bar with relation to the generally horizontal presser bar, each auxiliary presser bar being adapted to be elevated with relation to the generally horizontal presser bar and to be raised by the generally horizontal presser bar, a presser foot carried by each auxiliary presser bar, an individual spring for each auxiliary presser bar and serving to normally retain each auxiliary presser bar lowered with respect to the generally horizontal presser bar, all

springs of the auxiliary presser bars also serving I to move the generally horizontal presser bar downwardly, and means to raise the generally horizontal presser barin opposition to all of said springs.

6. A cloth presser mechanism for a multiple needle tuftin'g machine or the like, said mechanism comprising a relatively stationary generally horizontal bar, a generally horizontal presser bar arranged upon one side of the relatively stationary bar and having guide devices, a plurality of auxiliary generally vertical presser bars slidably mounted within the guide devices, each auxiliary presser bar having a stop element to engage with the generally horizontal presser bar to limit the downward movement of each auxiliary presser bar with relation to the generally horizontal presser bar. "each auxiliary presser bar being adapted to be elevated with relation to the generally horizontal presser bar and also to be raised by the generally horizontal presser bar, a separate spring for moving each auxiliary presser bar downwardly and acting against the relatively stationary bar, all springs of the auxiliary presser bars also serving to move the generally horizontal presser bar downwardly, means to raise the generally horizontal presser bar with relation to the stationary bar against the tension of all of said springs, and a presser foot carried by each auxiliary presser bar.

7. A cloth presser mechanism for a multiple a needle tufting machine or the like, said mechanism comprising a relatively stationary generally horizontal bar having guide devices, a generally horizontal presser bar arranged upon one side of the relatively stationary bar, a plurality of auxiliary generally vertical presser bars slidably mounted within the guide devices and arranged adjacent to the generally horizontal presser bar, each auxiliary presser bar having a stop element to engage with the generally horizontal presser bar to limit the downward movement of each auxiliary presser bar with relation to the generally horizontal presser bar, each auxiliary presser bar being adapted to be elevated with relation to the generally horizontal presser bar and also to be raised by the generally horizontal presser bar, a separate spring for moving each auxiliary presser bar downwardly and acting against the relatively stationary bar, all springs of the auxiliary presser bars also serving to move the generally horizontal presser bar downwardly. means to move the generally horizontal presser bar toward the stationary bar against the tension of all of said springs, and a presser foot carried by each auxiliary presser bar.

8. A cloth presser mechanism for a multiple needle tufting machine or the like, said mechanism comprising a main generally vertical presser bar, a generally horizontal presser bar secured to the main generally vertical presser bar to move vertically therewith, a plurality of auxiliary generally vertical presser bars carried by the generally horizontal presser bar, each auxiliary presser bar having a stop element to engage the generally horizontal presser bar and limit the downward movement of each auxiliary presser bar with relation to the generally horizontal presser bar, each auxiliary presser bar being adapted to be elevated with relation to the generally horizontal presser bar and to be raised by the generally horizontal presser bar, a presser foot carried by each auxiliary presser bar, a generally horizontal bar held stationary with relation to the main vertical presser bar and arranged above the generally horizontal presser bar, a coil spring carried by each auxiliary presser bar to move the same downwardly and acting against the relatively stationary bar, and means to raise the main presser bar.

ROY H. WINDHAM. 

